The ICC Summer Gardening Educational Series provides gardening information to the general public.

The educational series is part of the ICC Tri-County Extension Master Gardener Demo Garden located at Illinois Central College's Land Laboratory in East Peoria. Master Gardeners from Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford also plan and maintain a Demonstration Garden for the public at this location.

The Master Gardener demonstration area includes ten gardens, each with a different theme. You'll find edible plants as well as ornamental landscape plants. Plants have name tags in case you want to try it at home. The gardens are open for public viewing.

In addition to the gardens, educational programs are also held at this location. The ICC Summer Gardening Educational Series is coordinated by Tazewell County Master Gardener Kathie Pickering. She presented the first session on Growing English Roses on May 30th.

All seminars are held at the ICC Horticulture Building on the ICC campus. They begin at 10:00 a.m. Reservations are not required and seminars are open to the general public. If you have any questions, call Kathie Pickering at 309-219-5787309-219-5787.

The gardening season at ICC climaxes with Landscape & Garden Days in September. This event showcases the All American Garden, the horticulture students' vegetable gardens, and the Master Gardener's Demonstration Garden. Many vendors and garden clubs participate. There are educational lectures, plant sales and tours. Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties Master Gardeners operate informational tables and the demonstration gardens where they answer a broad spectrum of questions, have a plant clinic, and bring displays with information about the Master Gardening program.